Spain has started three days of national mourning after a high-speed train collision killed 69 people. Dozens more were injured.
The crash happened on Wednesday morning in the central region of Castilla-La Mancha. A Renfe train hit the back of a stationary train operated by the private company Iryo. Both were on the line linking Madrid and Seville.
It is Spain’s second deadly high-speed rail crash this year. It is also one of the worst train disasters in Europe this century.
Rescuers worked through the night among the twisted wreckage. Cranes lifted heavy sections of mangled metal. On Thursday, teams brought in sniffer dogs and thermal drones to look for more victims. The regional government then raised the death toll from 68 to 69.
The site lies a few kilometres from the village of Urda, about 130 kilometres south of Madrid. A local school now serves as a base where relatives can ask about missing family members. Red Cross teams are supporting them.
Red Cross psychologist Carmen Garcia said the coming hours would be hard. She described people in shock, anger and deep sadness. According to her, the grieving process will be complicated.
Flags are flying at half-mast on public buildings. Officials have cancelled or scaled back ceremonies and public events.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia planned to visit survivors at a hospital in Toledo on Thursday afternoon.
Survivors Describe the Impact
Josimar Medina, a 31-year-old Peruvian on holiday in Spain, was asleep on the Renfe train. He said he woke up in mid-air.
Pablo Mejia, 42, escaped with head injuries. He said a last-minute seat change saved his life. He described a violent impact, with passengers piled on the floor and seats torn from their fittings.
“I think I’ve been born again,” he said.
Questions Over Rail Safety
Transport Minister Oscar Puente said an automatic control system failed along 69 kilometres of track. All trains in that section were stopped as a result.
However, the control centre later allowed traffic to resume. Puente called that decision “inexplicable.” The Renfe train then covered 25 kilometres before hitting the Iryo train. He said operators had ample time to check the fault and did not fix it.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited the site. He promised to establish the cause and to tighten safety measures. Sanchez faces a general election on November 29.
The crash revives earlier concerns. In January, two high-speed trains collided in Andalusia after one derailed onto the adjacent track. That accident killed 46 people. Its investigation is still ongoing, and the left-wing government has faced sharp criticism over its handling of the railways.
Meanwhile, train drivers went on strike on Thursday to demand better rail safety. Their unions called the action before this week’s crash.
